Arched suspender for overhead electric conductors



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

O. J. VAN DEPOE'LE.

ARGHED SUSPENDBR FOR OVERHEAD BLEGTRIO GONDUGTORS. No. 393,317.Patente'd'Nov. 20, 1888 Charles JVunDcpoeZc tummy UNITED STATES PATENT Orricn.

CHARLES J. VAN DEPOELE, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

ARCHED SUSPENDER FOR OVERHEAD ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 393,317, dated November20, 1888.

Application filed August 22, 1888. Serial No. 283,445. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES J. VAN DE- POELE, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Lynn, in the county of Essex, State ofMassachusetts,have invented certain new and useful Improvements inArched Suspenders for Overhead Electric Conductors, of which thefollowing is a description.

My invention relates to an improved means for suspending and supportingthe currentsupplying conductor or conductors of an electric railway ofthe type in which the current is taken from an overhead conductorbyacontact device traveling with the moving vehicle. Suspendedsupply-conductors are usually carried by devices suspended fromcross-wires attached to poles placed along the line of way. Devicesheretofore used for this purpose have usually depended in some mannerbelow the cross supporting-wire, and so have been subject to the lateralstrain of the conductor wherever said conductor was deflected from astraight course and on curves. By my improvement these difficulties areentirely overcome, and a suspending device provided by which theconductor can be securely held in any desired position, and which at thesame time provides ample clearance for the contacttrolley.

The device embodying the principal feature of the invention I havecalled an arched suspender, and a prominent feature of the improvementresides in the fact that the conductor is by means thereof supported inthe same transverse plane as the cross-wire, and therefore cannot tiltits immediate support, whatever the desired position of the conductor, adifficulty frequently interfering seriously with the operation of arailway when equipped with downwardly-extending supporting devices.Other advantages incident to my improvement will be hereinafter pointedout,together with the preferred form of construction and arrangement.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the simplest form ofmy conductorsupport ing devices. Fig. 2 is a view in elevation showingthe poles and track of an electric railway together with theconductor-supporting devices in position upon the crosswire. Fig. 2 isan enlarged detail of the conductor and suspending devices. Fig. 3 is anend view of the arched suspender shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detailelevation showing an end view of the form of suspender used in somepositions. Fig. 4 is a similar view showing a modified construction.Fig. 5 is a view in elevation showing the arched suspender withadditions adapting it for connec' tion with anchorage-cables. Fig. 6 isa view, also in elevation,showing the arched suspender connected toduplex anchorage-ears. Fig. 6 and 6 are details showing attachmentofanchorage-lugs. Fig. 7 is a perspective 'view of anchorage-platecombined with an arched sus pender. Fig. 7 is an end view on the line 77, Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is an end view showing a slightly different form ofthe parts shown in Fig. 7. Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are views indicating anumber of different shapes which my arched suspending devices mayassume.

Similar letters denote like parts throughout. As illustrated in thedrawings, my improved wire-suspending device comprises, as seen in Fig.1, a metal arch, A, to the extremities of which the supportingcross-wires (to are attached. As shown, the insulators 13B areinterposed between the extremities of the crosswires a a and theextremities of the arch A. Other means of insulation may, however, beused in this connection. (See Figs. 2 and 2.) The insulators B B may bedispensed with and the cross-wires attached directly to the extremitiesof the arch, as seen in Fig. 7. To the central portion of the arch A,andextending therefrom at right angles, is formed an ear, 0, which is madetapering toward its extremities and grooved upon its under side, theconductor D to be suspended being firmly secured to the groove in theear 0, preferably by soldering or brazing, although other means ofattachment may be employed.

In Fig. 2, E represents the track of an elec tric railway. F F are polesnear the line of way. a a are the cross-wires, whichmay be heavygalvanized iron wire or wire cable, and A A are two arched suspenderssupporting conductors D D of positive and negative polarity,respectively. There, as in the present instance, two suspendedconductors are used, the suspenders A A are placed in proximity to eachother and their adjacent ends united by a link, d, of insulatingmaterial. Their outer ends are also connected to insulating devices o c,the extremities of which are attached to the wires a a, by which thesuspending and insulating devices and the conductors secured thereto aresupported at the desired height above the track.

The suspenders A A in Figs. 1 and 7 are shown as being provided withextended end portions, a a; but this is not essential, the ordinary formin which the suspended device is constructed being seen in Fig. 3. Theform of the arch A is not restricted to that shown in Fig. 1, and forthe sake of illustration other shapes are indicated in Figs. 8, 9, and10, all of which embody the principles of my invention.

It will be noted that the conductor-supporting device depending from orattached to the central portion of the arch or curve of the suspenderdoes not extend below the plane of the point of attachment for thecrosswires by which the suspender is supported, the object being toprovide strong, durable, and substantial means for supporting an aerialconductor,whether in a straight or deflected line; and I find that byarranging the conductor and its transverse supports in the samehorizontal plane that the said suspender will carry the conductor in anydesired position without being itself deflected or caused to kick up atone end on account of the lateral strain of the conductor. The arched orcurved form of the suspender is to allow free passage of the flanges ofthe trolley-wheel, and any form of device by which the main conductorcanbe supported substantially in the same plane as its transverse supportswith space on each side of its said support for the passage of theflanges of the trolley-wheel is included in my invention.

My improved suspender is particularly useful in supporting the conductorabove curved portions of the track, since by its use I am enabled tomake a firm and strong connection with the conductor,which is supportedin its position by the lateral and slightly upward pull of thecross-wire, which on curves need only be attached to one side of thearched suspender. In this instance I prefer, for appearances, to use asuspender, A", having one side cut away, substantially as shown in Fig.4, although I may use the complete form either with a single or with adouble cross-wire.

In many instances it is desirable to connect an anchoragecable withstraight portions of the main conductor for the purpose of holding guyor other cables upon curved portions of the track, as also to in someinstances relieve long straight portions of conductor from the greatlongitudinal strain of long lengths of wire, grades, &c., as well as tokeep said straight portions taut. For use in positions where a moderatelongitudinal strain is applied to the conductor, I form ears G upon theupper edges of the ear 0, to which an anchorage cable or cables, 9, canbe attached. In positions where a greater strain must be applied to theconductor, instead of employing the suspending device with the addedears G,

I provide means detached from the arch A, which itself is formed with ashort bracket or lug, H, to which is attached a metal bar, I, theextremities of which are secured to ears it, each of, for example,twelve inches in length and grooved on their under side for permanentattachment to the conductor, substantially as in the case of the ear 0.This arrangement offers an extremely durable and efficient connectionwith the conductor and one capable of withstanding great longitudinalstrain. The anchorage cable or cables 9 are secured directly to the barI, or to an ear, G, formed on or attached thereto. As seen in Figs. 6"

and 6*, the anchorage-cable is secured to an ear, G",which is in theform of a strap passing over and attached to both sides of the bar I.

\Vhere, as may sometimes happen, it is desired to attach anchoragedevices at points where the main conductor has been spliced or toprovide extra support Where joints are made, I employ the constructionshown in Figs. 7, 7, or 7", in which three ears, J j j, are provided.The earsjj are soldered upon the conductor, in the manner described, andsecured at opposite ends of their support, after which the end portionsto be united are abutted under and soldered fast in the groove of thecentral ear, J. The three cars J j j are secured to a metallic,preferably steel, plate or bar, I, which is then attached to the bracketH of the arched suspender A.

As seen in Figs. 7 and 7, the central ear, J, is formed with an offsetor rabbet at its upper edge, said upper edge resting against the outerside of the plate I, the ear and plate being firmly secured'to thebracket H of the suspender by through-bolts h. In Fig. 7", however, Ihave shown a slightly'modified and a preferable construction. In thisform the lower portion, k k, of the ear L is formed at one side thereof,so that the plate I, being centrally supported under the archedSuspender and the ear L attached at one side thereof, the grooved part7c of the ear L and the conductor supported therein will be directlyunder the central line of the arcln As seen in Fig. 7, theanchorage-cable g is attached at one side only of the plate I, and insome positions, as where the conductor is deflected from a straightline, the sidewise pull exerted by a cable attached in this manner willbe of advantage; but where the anchorage-cable is in line with theconductor and no deflection is desired, the connection will be in linewith the said plate and with the conduetor, as indicated by the form ofattachment shown in Figs. 6 and 6".

On straight portions of the line it is usual to suspend the conductor bysecuring thereto an ear-such, for example, as i-and suspending theconductor by connecting said ear vertically with the cross-wire, morevertical suspension being all that is required. Where, however, it ispreferred to support the conductor more firmly and permanently than bythe method just described, my arched susponders will be used and it willbe understood that where the arched suspender is used on straightportions of the track it is not essential that the conductor be at alltimes in the same horizontal plane as the cross-wires, so that for suchuses the suspender may be modifled in many ways without departing fromthe spirit of the invention. It is essential, however, that theconductor be in the same horizontal plane as its transverse supportswherever it is subjected to lateral strain.

I have described the arched suspender as a single casting spanning theconductor and provided with a depending central portion forattachmentthereto; but this form is not essential, as the desired results may beretained with a modified construction. An illustration of this is foundin Fig. 4*, in which is shown an arched Suspender, to all intents andpurposes the same as the solid casting shown in the other figures of thedrawings, but formed of two separate parts, A A, each similar to theform shown in Fig. 4, the extremities of which engage opposite sidesofthe ear 0, to which the conductor is attached. The arches A A may beseparately attached to the ear 0, or be attached opposite to each otherand connected and secured to the ear 0, to which they are-united, asshown, by a through-bolt, a. The arches A A may also be further unitedby a bolt or rivet, a, to prevent ashearing movement between them,whichwould be likely to break the bolt a The term metallic arch, as appliedto the part spanning the main conductor and to which the cross-wires aresecured, is used in its broadest sense, since any construction thataffords a support for the conductor and is adapted to receive thecross-wires for supporting the same and is also so formed as to allow agrooved contact-wheel to pass thereunder must necessarily constitute anarch. The term ear is applied to the part to which the suspendedconduetor is directly secured, and is intended to apply to any form ofextension integral with or attached to the metallic arch and to whichthe conductor can be secured in any manner capable of allowing theunobstructed passage of the contact-wheel.

The modifications shown in Figs. 4 and 4. are not herein specificallyclaimed, since they form the subject matter of a separate applicationfiled by me November 7, 1888, Serial No. 290,176. g

Havingdescribedmyinvention,whatI claim, and desire to secure by LettersPatent, is-

1. A suspending device for electric conductors, comprising a metallicarch spanning the conductor and adapted to be secured to transversesupports, and an ear depending from the arch and connected to theconductor to be suspended, substantially as described.

2. A suspending device for electric conductors, comprising a metallicarch spanning the conductor and secured to transverse wires or cablesand having an ear depending from the arch and connected to the conductorin the same horizontal plane as the transverse supports, substantiallyas described.

8. The combination, with a suitable conductor, of means for suspendingthe same, comprising an arch spanning the conductor and adapted to besecured to a cross-wire at its extremities and having aconductor-supporting device depending from the under side of the arch,substantially as described.

4. A supporting device for suspended conductors, comprising a metallicarch having a wire-securing part depending from its under side andadapted to sustain a wire in substantially the same horizontal plane asthe supports to which the arch is connected, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with a suspended conductor, of an ear adapted to bepermanently secured upon the upper side of said conductor, and ametallic arch spanning the conductor and secured to said ear and to thecross-wires, substantially as described.

6. Means for suspending an electric conductor in positions other than astraight line, comprising a cross-wire and an arched suspender spanningthe conductor and secured at its ends to and forming part of thetransverse support and having a wire-sustaining part depending from itsunder side into substantially the plane of the transverse support,substantially as described.

7. An ear adapted to be attached to and to support a suspended conductorand formed with anchoragelugs for attachment to traction-cables exertinga longitudinal strain upon the conductor, and a suspending devicespanning said ear and connected to the transverse support, substantiallyas described.

8. An ear adapted to be attached to and to support the conductor andprovided with anchorage-lugs for attachment to a traction cable orcables, and a metallic arch crossing said ear and having its extremitiesin substantially the same transverse plane as the conductor when securedto the ear, substantially as described.

9. The combination of cars permanently secured upon the conductor, ametallic plate or bar connecting the ears, and a metallic arch spanningthe bar and formed with a bracket at its under side for attachmentthereto, substan= tially as described.

10. Means for making a smooth joint in a suspended conductor, comprisingtwo or more cars adapted to be secured upon the conductor, a plate orbar to which the ears are connected, and an additional ear grooved toreceive the extremities of the conductor and to be permanently securedthereto and also attached to the plate or bar, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I hereto aflix my signa ture in presence of twowitnesses.

CHARLES J. VAN DEPOELE.

\Vitnesses:

FRANKLAND J ANNUS, O. W. DUSTIN.

